The Before Columbus Foundation announces Winners of the Twenty-Sixth Annual American Book Awards Friday, December 15th Free to the Public

The Before Columbus Foundation announces the Winners of the Twenty-Sixth Annual American Book Awards. The 2006 American Book Award winners will be formally recognized on Friday, December 15th at 6:30 PM at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th Street in downtown Oakland, cross street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Oakland, CA, (PRWEB) November 22, 2006 -- The Before Columbus Foundation announces the Winners of the Twenty-Sixth Annual AMERICAN BOOK AWARDS. The 2006 American Book Award winners will be formally recognized on Friday, December 15th at 6:30 PM at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th Street in downtown Oakland, cross street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The awards will be hosted by Before Columbus Foundation Executive Director, Gundars Strads. Authors attending will read selections from their works, and sign copies of their award-winning books. A reception and book signing will take place following the ceremony. This event is free to the public.

2006 American Book Award Winners:

Novel -- MacKenzie Bezos -- The Testing of Luther Albright -- (Fourth Estate)

Novel -- Matt Briggs -- Shoot the Buffalo -- (Clear Cut Press)

Memoir -- David Diaz -- The White Tortilla: Reflections of a Second-Generation Mexican-American -- (BookSurge)

Reference Guide -- Darryl Dickson-Carr -- The Columbia Guide to Contemporary African American Fiction -- (Columbia University Press)

Non-Fiction -- Thomas J. Ferraro -- Feeling Italian: The Art of Ethnicity in America -- (New York University Press)

Poetry -- Tim Z. Hernandez -- Skin Tax (Heyday Books)

Non-Fiction -- Josh Kun -- Audiotopia: Music, Race, and America -- (University of California Press)

Novel -- P. Lewis -- Nate -- (Back House Books)

Non-Fiction -- Peter Metcalfe -- Gumboot Determination: The Story of the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium -- (SEARHC Foundation)

Non-Fiction -- Kevin J. Mullen -- The Toughest Gang in Town: Police Stories from Old San Francisco -- (Noir Publications)

Resource Guide -- Doris Seale and Beverly Slapin, editors -- A Broken Flute: The Native Experience in Books for Children -- (AltaMira Press/Oyate)

Poetry -- Matthew Shenoda -- Somewhere Else -- (Coffee House Press)

Poetry -- Carlton Spiller -- Scalding Heart -- (Nuyorican Press)

Editor's Award -- Chris Hamilton-Emery -- Salt Publishing Ltd.

Lifetime Achievement Award -- Jay Wright

The American Book Awards were created to provide recognition for outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America's diverse literary community. The purpose of the awards is to recognize literary excellence without limitations or restrictions. There are no categories, no nominees, and therefore no losers. The award winners range from well-known and established writers to under-recognized authors and first works. There are no quotas for diversity, the winners list simply reflects it as a natural process. The Before Columbus Foundation views American culture as inclusive and has always considered the term "multicultural" to be not a description of various categories, groups, or "special interests," but rather as the definition of all of American literature. The Awards are not bestowed by an industry organization, but rather are a writers' award given by other writers. (The Before Columbus Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization.)

For more information, images, or to arrange interviews, contact Kim McMillon at (510) 228-6775.

Calendar Editors

What:         The Before Columbus Foundation presents the American Book Awards

When:         Friday, December 15, 6:30 PM

Where:     African American Museum and Library, 659 14th Street, downtown Oakland

Cost:         Free to Public

Contact:     Kim McMillon, (510) 228-6775

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